He told liverpoolfc.tv: "Steven is fantastic, he's been unbelievable for this football club. There are times when he's grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, staring defeat in the face, and we've got back in the match. They'll all be very, very important, but certainly as captain, Steven's got that extra bit of importance as well to help to move the thing forward and I think he will do.

"He's got fantastic respect in the game, and in the dressing room, like Carra, they're going to be a huge influence in there, and on our side which is a huge bonus for us."